System and method for processing instant messages

Abstract

Various aspects relate to using structured messages within one or more systems that implement instant messaging function in a distributed computing environment. In particular, structured information may be encoded and embedded in unstructured instant messages and communicated among one or more computer systems, networks, applications or other entities. In one aspect, instant messaging may be leveraged as middleware for application integration. Other aspects relate to using structured message information to perform functions in a distributed instant messaging system. For example, structured message information may be used to control the display of instant message information to a user, or may be used to control how the instant message information is distributed, processed, or otherwise handled by a receiving system, application or process. Other aspects relate to an interface for displaying information relating to a number of instant messaging conversations to a user. Further, aspects relate to using instant messaging in a trading environment.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method comprising: receiving a plurality of instant messages forming multiple conversations with a plurality of client computers, the plurality of instant messages including securities related information and a code indicative of the location of the securities related information in at least one message of the plurality of instant messages;
 identifying, using a processor, status information for the plurality of instant messages; 
 generating, using the processor, a securities instant messages grid including entries for each conversation in the plurality of instant messages and entries for attributes of the securities related information and the status information; and 
 activating a portion of an interface for the securities instant messages grid in response to a value in the securities related information to enable or disable user input with the portion of the interface. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein generating a securities instant messages grid including entries for the plurality of instant messages comprises generating the securities instant messages grid including entries for the plurality of instant messages including the securities related information, the status information, and an instant message attribute. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the instant message attribute includes message sender, message recipient, or a receipt time. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the securities instant messages grid further includes a securities attribute. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the securities attribute includes a transaction size, a transaction side, a quantity, or a price. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the status information describes a status of a conversation. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of instant messages include one or more instant messages from multiple trader computers. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 displaying the securities instant messages grid including the securities related information from the multiple trader computers. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 displaying the securities instant messages grid including the securities related information and the status information. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving an input from a user; and 
 modifying the instant messages grid including the securities related information in response to the input from the user. 
 
     
     
       11. An apparatus comprising:
 a network interface configured to receive data indicative of a plurality of instant messages forming conversations including securities information from a plurality of trading computers, wherein at least one of the plurality of instant messages includes a code indicative of the location of the securities related information in the at least one of the plurality of instant messages; and 
 a processor coupled with the network interface and configured to generate a securities instant messages grid including an entry for each conversation in the plurality of instant messages including the securities related information, 
 wherein the processor is configured to activate a portion of a user interface for the securities instant messages grid in response to a value in the securities related information to enable or disable user input with the portion of the interface. 
 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the securities instant messages grid includes an instant message attribute including a message sender, a message recipient, or a receipt time. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the securities instant messages grid includes a securities attribute including a transaction size, a transaction side, a quantity, and a price. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 an interface configured to display the securities instant messages grid including the securities related information. 
 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the securities related information from the multiple trader computers are displayed simultaneously. 
     
     
       16. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing instructions configured to perform a method of processing instant messages, the instructions configured to:
 receive a plurality of instant messages including securities related information wherein at least one of the plurality of instant messages includes a code indicative of the location of the securities related information in the at least one of the plurality of instant messages; 
 store identifying information for plurality of instant messages; 
 generate a securities instant messages grid including entries for the plurality of instant messages including the securities related information and the identifying information; and 
 deactivating a portion of an interface for the securities instant messages grid in response to a value in the securities related information. 
 
     
     
       17. The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the identifying information includes an instant message attribute and a securities attribute. 
     
     
       18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 17 , wherein the instant message attribute includes a message sender, a message recipient, or a receipt time, and the securities attribute includes a transaction size, a transaction side, a quantity, or a price. 
     
     
       19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the securities instant messages grid includes securities related information from multiple endpoints.